Homeschooling & Schooling

Standards & Information

Pennsylvania State Standards
Standards children should meet in every subject at specific grade levels.
www.pdesas.org

Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU)The Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) provides programs and services to public school districts, nonpublic schools, and other human service organizations of Berks County, Pennsylvania. The BCIU also is a liaison agent between the schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
1111 Commons Boulevard, P.O. Box 16050, Reading, PA 19612-6050 • 610-987-2248, fax: 610-987-8400
www.berksiu.org

Justice LearningCivic education in the real world. A collaboration of NPR's Justice Talking and The New York Times Learning Network.
www.justicelearning.org/

The Learning Network: Teaching & Learning with the New York TimesProvides teaching ideas, lesson plans, and more using the news as a base of learning.
learning.blogs.nytimes.com/

Montessori Homeschooling"Montessori is a method of observing and supporting the natural development of children. Montessori educational practice helps children develop creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and time-management skills, to contribute to society and the environment, and to become fulfilled persons in their particular time and place on Earth... The name Montessori is not legally protected, and can be used by anyone, for any purpose; it is vital that anyone searching for a good Montessori school or teacher-training center be aware of this."
www.maba-online.com

Advocacy & Support Groups

Home School Legal Defense Association"HSLDA is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms."
www.hslda.org/about/default.asp

Little River Homeschool GroupLittle River Homeschool Group is a brand new homeschool co-op serving Berks and Schuylkill County. The goal of this group is to nurture and support the homeschool family. We have a little something for here for everyone. Parents have the opportuinity to connect, support, and encourage each other. Kids of all ages are able to interact, have fun and learn new things. Together we meet the needs of our homeschooling families in our commnity.
If you homeschool, or are thonking about homeschooling, please feel free to dreop by and visit our "Little River". We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Christ Evangelical Free Church in Straustown from 1:00-3:00. For more information, please contact Kellee Wood at 570-739-1968 or kellee5@hotmail.com.

MontBerks HomeschoolersLocated primarily in the Montgomery and Berks Counties of Pennsylvania. Service areas include Pottstown, Limerick, Collegeville, Reading, Douglassville, Boyertown, Limerick and Coventry.
For further information about MontBerks Homeschoolers regarding joining or teaching classes, contact the co-op via its e-mail address: hinotes@dejazzd.com.

National Home Education Legal Defense"NHELD, LLC examines and explains the history of the law pertaining to homeschooling, and the authority of parents to instruct their children... It is important to note that the governmental authority to regulate education, as well as all other issues not specifically mentioned in the Federal Constitution, is left up to the states."
nheld.com/history.htm

Pennsylvania Home Education Network"The Pennsylvania Home Education Network is an incorporated, nonprofit, tax exempt, statewide organization of home educating families. PHEN exists to promote freedom and simplicity in home education, to serve all families who educate their children at home regardless of race, religion, creed, sex, national origin, handicap, or educational philosophy, and to inform the general public about home education."
phen.org/

Pennsylvania Home Educators Association (PHEA) "PHEA is an inclusive statewide coalition of home educators whose primary purpose is to provide accurate information and advocate for Pennsylvania home educators."
phea.net/

Pottstown Area Homeschoolers (PAH)The Pottstown Area Homeschoolers (PAH) exists to serve prospective, new, and experienced homeschooling families residing in western Montgomery, northern Chester, and southern Berks Counties. Parent support meetings are held throughout the year on the first Monday of each month (second Monday if holiday) from 7:00-8:30 PM in the second floor activity room at Sanatoga Court, (227 Evergreen Road, Sanatoga PA 19464). Topics of discussion include legal requirements, curriculum and resource choices, conventions and seminars, cooperative groups, and children’s activities and field trips.
homeschool-life.com/pa/pah/